Public Safety Subcommittee

In an effort to determine the scope of the drug epidemic within Plymouth County, District Attorney Tim Cruz and Sheriff Joe McDonald have created the Public Safety Subcommittee of the Plymouth County Drug Abuse Task Force.

The Public Safety Subcommittee brings all of the Plymouth County Police Chiefs and Fire Chiefs together at one table to discuss the recent trends each have seen in their communities.

Public Safety Subcommittee Chairs

Chief Michael Botieri

Plymouth Police Department

Chief Scott Allen

East Bridgewater Police Department

Initiatives

Plymouth County Outreach

Project Outreach is a collaboration of Public Safety Agencies and Healthcare Providers. It was created to respond to the ever growing number of opiate overdoses by conducting follow-up visits within 12-24 hours after an overdose.
The program is not limited to those addicted to opiates, it is for everyone impacted by addiction.
Overdose Follow-up:
After a overdose occurs in a participating community the Project Outreach team of safety officials and healthcare providers determines the best course of action to help that person.
If it is determined that an in person follow-up may help, a healthcare worker and safety official will go to the overdose victims home.
The healthcare worker will discuss treatment options with the individual and will help to get them into treatment as soon as possible if they choose to go.

If you suspect something, do something.

Per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health the number of unintentional opioid-related deaths in Plymouth County continues to rise.

2013 - 86 deaths

2014 - 112 deaths

2015 - 178 deaths

2016 - 194 deaths

Opioids include heroin, opioid-based prescription painkillers and other unspecified opioids. Data for 2014-2016 are preliminary and subject to updates, as a large number of death certificates have yet to be assigned a final cause of death code.